Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 60
श्राद्धे वा प्राप्तकाले वा ह्यतिथिर्विमुखीभवेत् । यस्याश्रममुपायातस्यस्य सर्वं हि निष्फलम्
śrāddhe vā prāptakāle vā hyatithirvimukhībhavet | yasyāśramamupāyātasyasya sarvaṃ hi niṣphalam
„Wenn zur Zeit des Śrāddha oder zur rechten Stunde ein Gast, der zum Āśrama gekommen ist, sich abwendet (ohne geehrt zu werden), dann wird für diesen Gastgeber alles wahrlich fruchtlos.“
Unspecified (didactic narration within Māheśvarakhaṇḍa, likely Sūta to sages)
Scene: An āśrama courtyard at Śrāddha-time: a guest stands at the threshold turning away; the host’s ritual items (piṇḍa, kuśa, water-pot) appear stalled, signifying fruitlessness.
FAQs
Rituals lose their merit when compassion and hospitality are neglected; dharma is measured by how one treats the atithi.
No particular tīrtha is named; the teaching is a general dharma principle applicable to sacred rites everywhere.
During Śrāddha (and at proper times), one must honour and satisfy the guest; otherwise the rite’s fruit is said to be nullified.